Dispensing container



July 1963 c. J. GONNELLA ETAL 3,095,598

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed May 16, 1960 INVENTOR5. Pdu/ A Mara/20777 BYfianmVwef/a T @NEV.

United States Patent 3,095,598 DISPENSING CONTAINER Carmen J. Gonnella,Succasunna, N1, and Paul A. Marchant, Kansas City, Mo., assignors, bydirect and mesne assignments, to The Mennen Company, a corporation ofNew Jersey and Consolidated Thermoplastics Company, a corporation ofDelaware Filed May 16, 1960, Ser. No. 29,528 5 Claims. (Cl. 15-.571)

This invention relates to containers employing a roller element todispense the liquid contents thereof and refers penser; the patent to DeBrock, 2,700,784, issued February 1, 1955, for Ball-Type LiquidApplicator and Closure for Same; and the patent to Testa, 1,977,414,issued October 16, 1934, for Perfume Dispenser.

When applying liquids (such as deodorants) of various sorts to areas ofthe human skin or the like, it has been discovered desirable invarious-applications to employ roller elements which vary from circularin cross section to elliptical in side view in one dimension or in crosssection in one dimension. As a substantial elliptical shape isapproached, greater area of contact is provided, which is desirable forapplying deodorants, perfumes or the like. The problem of adequatelysealing an elliptical roller element in its seat (to prevent liquid flowfrom the container when the top thereof is on) 'is very difficult,particularly when the seal is desired to be made in a plastic seat forthe roller element. Such plastic seats are conventionally relativelydeformable in themselves and, also, not commercially fabricable orformable beyond a certain level of accuracy. The more elongate theellipse and the more flexible the material of the plastic seat, the lesslikelihood of obtaining a uniform satisfactory seal. Various additivesealing constructions have been built into plastic seats for ellipticalrollers, but none have provided effective seals under all necessaryconditions. Additionally, it is desired to minimize the expense of theroll-on fitting as the container and roll-on. element are regarded asdisposable items.

Therefore, an object of the instant invention is to pro-' vide means forscaling in adequate fashion an elliptical roller element for dispensingliquids from containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide such means for sealingwhich are simple in construction, relatively easy to manufacture andrelatively inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for sealingelliptical rollers which involve the combination therewith of aresilient element, the latter preferably substantially cylindrical inform.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insert constructionincluding an elliptical roller element, which insert is adapted to sealthe container against flow therefrom when the container top is appliedand dispense the liquid from the container when the top is removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an elliptical rollerelement and seal therefor for roller dispenser containers which willmeet all of the seal tests of conventional spherical roller elementroll-on containers as to temperature, pressure and inverted positionsealing.

3,095,598 Patented July 2, 1963 Another object of the invention is toprovide a roll-on container construction which combines the applicatorfeatures of an elliptical roller with the sealing features of aspherical roller.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course ofthe following description.

In the drawings, which form a part of the instant invention and are tobe read in conjunction therewith, embodi merits of the invention areshown and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicatelike .parts.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly cut away and in section, of aninverted elliptical roll-on container embodying the invention with thetop thereof in place.

FiG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 butwith the container top removed and the roller element in dispensingposition.

FiG. 4 is a top plan view of the roller assembly casing with theelliptical roller element removed therefrom.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4 in thedirection of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of H6. 4 in thedirection of the arrows.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the container in normal storage condition with FIGS.1 and 2, however, inverted from the normal storage position. Theinvention comprises, in combination, a container body, a preferablyelliptical roller element and a fitment including: a first socket forthe elliptical roller element, a resilient element, the latterpreferably of cylindrical form with an opening therethrough, a secondsocket for the resilient element and two openings communicating out ofthe second socketone opening into the first socket and one opening intothe body of the container. This fitment may be applied to and mounted onthe container body in a number of ways. The method of applying theroller element and fitment to the container body illustrated is onlytypical and should not be construed as limiting.

Referring first to FIG. 1, therein is shown a container constructionhaving three basic parts. The first part is the container body portiongenerally designated at 10, the second the container top portiongenerally designated at 11, and the third the roller fitment generallydesignated at '12. These pants will be described in the order named. Allcontainer parts except the roller which is made of glass or like rigidmaterial, may preferably be formed of polyethylene or like resilientplastic material.

The container body 18 has a circumferential side wall 10a, an upperunbroken end wall 10b continuously connected to or formed continuouswith side wall 10a and lower end wall which has an opening 10dpreferably centrally thereof, to be described. A continuouscircumferential groove 102 is formed in side wall 10a of the containerbody 10 just above lower end wall 100. Wall 10a is preferably recessedinwardly to form groove 10c and an extension 10f defines the lower wallof the groove. The Wall 10c is preferably recessed at 10g the width ofthe roller insert skirt to be described.

Central opening 10d is preferably, though not necessarily, circular inform. Opening 10d is defined by circumferential flange or ring 1011,fixed to or formed integral with wall 19c and having groove 101' formedcentrally of the inner face thereof. Alternatively (and not shown) aninwardly-extending ridge or raised portion may be formed on' the flange16h if the engagement between the roller element and opening" 10d isdesired to be reversed. The thickness of flange 1011 is preferablygreater than the thickness of wall whereby to provide greater rigidityfor the engagement to be described.

The container top 11 is congruent in transverse section to thetransverse section of container body and must be of sufficient depth toreceive the roller assembly when the top is engaged with the containerbody. Means for engaging container body 10 are provided and comprise, inthe instance shown, bead 11a formed circumferentially inwardly of theperipheral wall 11d of top 11. Bead 11a engages groove ltle to form acircumferential sealing fit of the top of the container. Fixed to theinner side of lower end wall 11b of top 11 are flange extensions 1'10adapted to contact the roller element when the top is in positiveengagement with the container body and force the roller element or othermeans in contact therewith into sealing roller relationship with itsseat. It should be noted that the groove-head engagement of groove 10cand bead 11a may be reversed (if desired) with the bead on the containerand the groove in the top. However, it is preferred that the wall of thecontainer be in line with the wall of the top when in engagement andthis is most easily achieved in the construction shown.

The roller assembly shown employs a roller elliptical along one axis incombination with a resilient perforated element wherein the ellipticalroller provides the desired large area dispensing, with the resilientelement providing a proper seal when the top is on to avoid undersidepassage of liquid from the container body proper.

Referring particularly to the roller assembly, elliptical roller 13(elliptical in one dimension and round in the dimension normal thereto)is received in socket 12a, the latter provided with a plurality ofextensions 12b uniformly and circumferentially positioned to opening120. Cylindrical resilient element 14 of rubber, resilient plastic, orthe like, having axial opening 14a therethrough is received in arecessed well or socket defined by upwardly-extending flange 12d, thelatter having inwardlyextending upper edges 12c which taper interiorlyto define upper opening 12]. Depending upon the engagement desired,either a ridge 12g (shown) or groove (not shown) is provided to engagean opposite means on flange 10h. Socket 12a surrounds, engages andoverlies a sufficient portion of roller 13 so as to maintain it 'withinthe socket in use. Wells 1211 at the extremities of the seat receive theelongate roller ends for rotational motion. Skirt 121" is preferablycircumferentially fixed to the lowermost periphery of socket 12a and isso formed and of such length as to be received in recess or groove 10gof the container body 10.

Reference may be made to FIG. 2 to ascertain that the engagement of theroller fitment with the top of the container is solely and primarily, asfar as rigid fixing and positioning goes, effected by the centralengagement of flange 12d with flange 10h. Thus this connection must beof suflicient rigidity and tenacity to retain position of the rollerassembly on the container proper in normal operation of the container indispensing liquid therefrom. Skirt 12: serves to keep foreign matter outof the container body 10 and out of the space between the roller insertand the container and, additionally, improve the appearance thereof.Additionally, some protection is provided to the central engagement bythe skirt (depending upon the strength and rigidity thereof) againstlateral forces applied. Additionally, skirt 12i in its abutment on wall100 aids in resisting further insertion of flange 12d into the opening10d under excessive upward pressure.

In operation of the device, the container, in inverted position as shownin FIG. 1, is filled with the liquid to be dispensed. Then the rollerfitment is snapped vertically downwardly into place so that bead orridge 12g fits into slot or groove 101' circumferentially. Skirt 12iaids in such positioning by fitting into groove or recess 10g. When top11 is fitted over the roller assembly and container so that bead 11afits into groove 10c, means 11c abuts the surface of roller 13, forcingcylindrical grommet 14 into an expanded sealing engagement with flange12d, the roller 13 on top thereof sealing the outward extension of theopening or passage 14a as shown in FIG- URE 2 and thus preventing anyinflux of liquid into the space surrounding the roller and the socket120. Removal of the top permits the movement of roller 13 and grommet 14into the position of FIG. 3 and permits flow of liquid into socket 12ato be transferred onto the roller by rotation thereof. The diameter ofopening 14a may be varied as desired according to the viscosity of theliquid dispensed to permit flow of ample liquid to roller 13. Extensionsor projections 12b, which are flexible, serve to elevate the roller 13on removal of the top to free opening 14a, yet are forceable outwardlyto enable the roller to seal the grommet 14 opening 14a on topapplication.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one Welladapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the structuire.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A roller assembly for dispensing containers comprising a rollerelement having an elliptical cross section along one dimension and asubstantially circular cross section normal to said one dimension; afitment including an elliptical socket adapted to receive said rollerelement for rotation in the elliptical socket about said one dimensionof the roller element, said roller element being movable in theelliptical socket to and from dispensing and non-dispensing positionsportions of said elliptical socket closely engaging said roller elementto maintain the roller element in the socket, a portion of said rollerelement being exposed outside said elliptical socket; said ellipticalsocket having an opening therein; a second socket located outside of andintegral with said elliptical socket, said second socket being locatedaround the opening in the elliptical socket thereby providingcommunication between the sockets; a resilient element positioned in andsubstantially conforming in shape to said second socket, a portion ofsaid resilient element extending into the elliptical socket sufficientto be engageable by the roller element when the latter is innon-dispensing position and spaced from the roller element when thelatter is in dispensing position an opening through said resilientelement and portion thereof; an opening in said second socket locatedremote from the opening in the elliptical socket; said opening throughthe resilient element being in substantial alignment with the opening inthe elliptical socket and the opening in the second socket; said rollerelement being movable from said dispensing position to saidnon-dispensing position upon the application of pressure on said exposedportion of the roller element; said dispensing position spacing theroller element from the resilient element such that an unimpeded passageis provided through said aligned openings into said elliptical socket,said non-dispensing position 10- cating the roller element such that aportion of the roller element is in sealing engagement around theopening in said portion of the resilient element thereby closing saidunimpeded passage; and said resilient element normally urging saidelliptical roller element from said non-dispensing position toward saiddispensing position.

2. A roller assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said opening in theresilient element is axially aligned with and of lesser size than theopenings in said elliptical and second sockets.

3. A roller assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said second socket iscylindrical with its axis of rotation norm=al to the surface of saidelliptical socket, and said resilient element is a ring conforming toand located coaxially with said second socket.

4. A roller assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of spacedprojecting lugs are fixed to the surface of said elliptical socketaround the opening in the elliptical socket to normally maintain saidelliptical noller spaced from the elliptical socket and the opening insaid resilient element.

5. A roller assembly as recited in claim 1 including a cap positionableover said fitment, said cap being engageable with the roller element tomove the roller element from said dispensing position to saidnon-dispensing position; and means to maintain said cap in saidengagement with the roller element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSPetotti Apr. 25, 1905 Erwin Aug. 8, 1911 Morris July 5, 1938 Biro Dec.11, 1945 Whitney Feb. 18, 1958 Sudbeaz Nov. 4, 1958 Kundert Mar. 14,196-1 Sattmann Apr. 24, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS Austria Jan. 10, 1916Switzerland Nov. 1, 1950 France Dec. 12, 1949

1. A ROLLER ASSEMBLY FOR DISPENSING CONTAINERS COMPRISING A ROLLERELEMENT HAVING AN ELLIPTICAL CROSS SECTION ALONG ONE DIMENSION AND ASUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION NORMAL TO SAID ONE DIMENSION;FITMENT INCLUDING AN ELLIPTICAL SOCKET ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID ROLLERELEMENT FOR ROTATION IN THE ELLIPTICAL SOCKET ABOUT SAID ONE DIMENSIONOF THE ROLLER ELEMENT, SAID ROLLER ELEMENT BEING MOVABLE IN THEELLIPTICAL SOCKET TO AND FROM DISPENSING AND NON-DISPENSING POSITIONSPORTIONS OF SAID ELLIPTICAL SOCKET CLOSELY ENGAGING SAID ROLLER ELEMENTTO MAINTAIN THE ROLLER ELEMENT IN THE SOCKET, A PORTION OF SAID ROLLERELEMENT BEING EXPOSED OUTSIDE SAID ELLIPTICAL SOCKET; SAID ELLIPTICALSOCKET HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN; A SECOND SOCKET LOCATED OUTSIDE OF ANDINTEGRAL WITH SAID ELLIPTICAL SOCKET, SAID SECOND SOCKET BEING LOCATEDAROUND THE OPENING IN THE ELLIPTICAL SOCKET THEREBY PROVIDINGCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SOCKETS; A RESILIENT ELEMENT POSITIONED IN ANDSUBSTANTIALLY CONFORMING IN SHAPE TO SAID SECOND SOCKET, A PORTION OFSAID RESILIENT ELEMENT EXTENDING INTO THE ELLIPTICAL SOCKET SUFFICIENTTO BE ENGAGEABLE BY THE ROLLER ELEMENT WHEN THE LATTER IS INNON-DISPENSING POSITION AND SPACED FROM THE ROLLER ELEMENT WHEN THELATTER IS IN DISPENSING POSITION AN OPENING THROUGH SAID RESILIENTELEMENT AND PORTION THEREOF; AN OPENING IN SAID SECOND SOCKET LOCATEDREMOTE FROM THE OPENING IN THE ELLIPTICAL SOCKET; SAID OPENING THROUGHTHE RESILIENT ELEMENT BEING IN SUBSTANTIAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE OPENING INTHE ELLIPTICAL SOCKET AND THE OPENING IN THE SECOND SOCKET; SAID ROLLERELEMENT BEING MOVABLE FROM SAID DISPENSING POSITION TO SAIDNON-DISPENSING POSITION UPON THE APPLICATION OF PRESSURE ON SAID EXPOSEDPORTION OF THE ROLLER ELEMENT; SAID DISPENSING POSITION SPACING THEROLLER ELEMENT FROM THE RESILIENT ELEMENT SUCH THAT AN UNIMPEDED PASSAGEIS PROVIDED THROUGH SAID ALIGNED OPENINGS INTO SAID ELLIPTICAL SOCKET,SAID NON-DISPENSING POSITION LOCATING THE ROLLER ELEMENT SUCH THAT APORTION OF THE ROLLER ELEMENT IS IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT AROUND THEOPENING IN SAID PORTION OF THE RESILIENT ELEMENT THEREBY CLOSING SAIDUNIMPEDED PASSAGE; AND SAID RESILIENT ELEMENT NORMALLY URGING SAIDELLPTICAL ROLLER ELEMENT FROM SAID NON-DISPENSING POSITION TOWARD SAIDDISPENSING POSITION.